Fisheye

Should I save for the L
Or
Any opinions on less expensive sigmas?

I feel like the L fisheye may not be all that impressive on a 1.6x sensor. I think it's more designed to be a circular FE @ 8mm and full frame FE @ 15mm on a full frame sensor. On a crop sensor it would be nearly full frame at 8mm, and maybe not that fisheye-ish at 15mm. I don't have any experience with the Sigma FE's, but the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower 8mm is pretty good for a APS-C body - all manual, not very expensive, but pretty good build/image quality. I've never used the Canon FE though, so I may be totally off base - it's expensive though, that much I do know!

Anything with autofocus?

Almost EVERYTHING is in focus with a fisheye. I would go with the Rokinon. Set at infinity and f8. You will have almost everything in focus.

scorpio_e wrote in post #13896624
Almost EVERYTHING is in focus with a fisheye. I would go with the Rokinon. Set at infinity and f8. You will have almost everything in focus.

agree.
take a look at the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower 8mm fisheye lens thread-

fun!

Otohp.

scorpio_e wrote in post #13896624
Almost EVERYTHING is in focus with a fisheye. I would go with the Rokinon. Set at infinity and f8. You will have almost everything in focus.

That's what I use and thats what I do. The Rokinon is a great FE. Just f8/infinity and shoot away without thinking about it!

The optics rival canons but the price is amazing.

SouthFlorida_Tron wrote in post #13896056
Should I save for the L
Or
Any opinions on less expensive sigmas?

I sold my Vivitar Series 1 Manual focus, it retails something like $280-$300. Razor sharp, manual focus is easu for the landcape but could be challanging for action sports in the close range.

Got the Sigma fish eye 10mm, had focus issues, exchanged it and the new copy came another focus issue. I am sick and tired to do a third try. Optics (manual focus) seemed to be way better than Vivitar but it sucks monkey ball after paying $650 you still have to manual focus it to get sharp images.

I returned it for a refund, I might get the Tokina in the future.

One thing though, All the Vivitar, Rokinon etc. manual focus Fisheyes have a wider range in 1.6 crop bodies. I think they cover 180 degrees where Sigma covers 167 degrees.

Another vote for the Rokinon!

I set my Rokinon 8mm at f8 and 10 ft. At these settings it is as close to a point & shoot lens as you can get.
Very good results on both the Canon 550D and Nikon D300.

I love the Rokinon!

I have the Sigma, bought it used on eBay. I myself don't use it that much, could see me selling it (maybe) but am really impressed with the build quality and AF. Definitely go used.

Have a look at the Tokina 10-17. Picked one up recently to use for underwater shots in a housing, but find it fun for other stuff as well. Very fisheye at the 180 degree view at 10mm on a crop. Less fishy towards 17mm. Great build quality & image quality.


Here's a few random shots. Some are 7D & some are 1Dmkiv

+1 for Samyang (Rokinon) 8mm. It uses a unique projection (stereographic) - much less distortion at the edges then other fisheyes, great for crowds shooting.

So far I'm noticing u get the most "warp-FE" @ close range to target where like the beach shot it just looks panoramic.

Think I can use this for video as well?